Parkland Industrial Site in Superior could soon be home to new manufacturing plant

By
KBJR News 1

January 24, 2014Updated Jan 24, 2014 at 10:23 AM CST

Superior, WI (NNCNOW.com)-- The first hurdle has been cleared in an effort to attract a new eight hundred million dollar direct reduced iron plant to the Parkland Industrial Site just outside of Superior.

Magnetation once looked at the site to build a new pellet plant, but chose Indiana instead.

Now new potential awaits, and the proposed plant would bring a major boost to Superior's economy.

Superior and Douglas County have teamed up to secure the Parkland Industrial Site for International Metallics Corporation, a company based out of Reston Virginia that specializes in iron briquettes. The proposed eight hundred million dollar project would bring in much needed jobs to the area.

"We estimate that it would create about one hundred jobs, good paying jobs," said Douglas Finn, chair of the Douglas County Board.

International Metallics Corporation has shown interest to the site based on it's proximity to suppliers of iron ore pellets, natural gas supply and the logistics infrastructure in the area. Dave Minor, President of the Superior Chamber of Commerce says the facility would have a ripple effect on jobs.

"Every single job thats created by them creates anywhere from two to four more jobs in our community as a spin-off, " said Dave Minor, President of the Superior Area Chamber of Commerce.

Minor says the company wanting to set up shop in Superior is significant to the manufacturing industry in the city.

"It's vital. Its very important to our community to have this type of investment coming from the outside wanting to do this, and that really happens because they see companies in our community that are already here investing in our community and that's what helps sell it," said Minor.

The next phase of the project includes a market study and pre feasibility study.

The project is not guaranteed, but if all goes as planned the facility would likely begin operations in 20-17